2026 Block Party Season

Gathering with your neighbors? 

In planning your annual (or first!) neighborhood block party, consider inviting History Cambridge. We’ll set up our History Kit, complete with historical information about your street and the wider Cambridge community. This free service goes quickly, so be sure to get on our calendar early.

What is a History Kit?

Since 2023, History Cambridge has shared our History Kits—a traveling collection of documents, maps, and artifacts designed for hands-on exploration. Whether it covers the entire city or a specific neighborhood, each kit brings the stories of Cambridge directly to you at block parties and community events. It is an interactive, multi-sensory way for residents of all ages to connect with our shared past through the humanities, arts, and sciences, while helping us preserve the stories of current residents for our archives.

What’s Inside the Kit?

We designed the History Kit to be a conversation starter and a “mini-museum” for social settings. When you reserve a kit, you can expect:

• Hands-On Artifacts: Touch a piece of the past with items like 19th-century books (yes, you can smell them!), historic bricks, and archival documents.
• Alluring Visuals: A curated setup featuring large-scale historical maps and a trivia whiteboard designed to draw in passersby and spark curiosity.
• Local Treats & Swag: Engage all the senses with candy historically manufactured right here in Cambridge and fun History Cambridge swag.
• Interactive Activities: Share your own history by writing or drawing your favorite places in Cambridge to be featured in our community collection.
• Expert Guidance: For staffed events, our team provides tailored recommendations for further reading, website articles, and upcoming local history events based on your specific interests.

Two ways to engage:

Self-Guided Kit: Best for independent exploration; rented by residents to use at their own pace.

Staff-Led Kit: We bring the history to you! Our team sets up and facilitates the experience at events across the city.

This is a great way to add some educational entertainment to your neighborhood gathering. Fill out the form below to learn more and make your block party one for the history books!

Get $300 for your block party!

Did you know that the City of Cambridge is offering $300 to support your block party? Apply for funding today!